Vi: I want backspace to respond in insert mode and not in command mode: possible?

stf92 · 06-16-2011, 12:35 AM

Kernel 2.6.21.5, slackware 12.0
vi 2.2.0
vim 7.1

Hi:
I cant make the backspace key to respond when working in vi. It's set such that it responds in command mode but not in insert mode. In vim one can get help on, say, the backspace key (BS) by typing ':help backspace'. In vi, typing the same thing I get help on help. It's clear to me that I ought to know the name of the topic.

Do you know how to make BS to respond or tell vi to help? Thanks.

mRgOBLIN · 06-16-2011, 02:19 AM

Not sure about vi but with vim you can add this to your .vimrc

Code:

set backspace=indent,eol,start

druuna · 06-16-2011, 02:26 AM

Hi,

It's been a while since I used slackware, but I do believe that out-of-the-box, vi is linked to elvis.

Mybe these links will help:
- elvis home page
- elvis options (6.5 -> cleantext, ct).

Hope this helps.

mRgOBLIN · 06-16-2011, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by druuna

Hi,
It's been a while since I used slackware, but I do believe that out-of-the-box, vi is linked to elvis.

Yes that's still the case.

stf92 · 06-16-2011, 07:50 AM

Thanks for your links (and for your memory). Druuna, could elvis options be found as an info page? It has the typical structure of these pages.

george-lappies · 06-16-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mRgOBLIN

Yes that's still the case.

Why would this be? And how can vi be linked to start vim and not elvis?

BCarey · 06-16-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by george-lappies

Why would this be? And how can vi be linked to start vim and not elvis?

Pat must prefer elvis. You can easily change it.

Code:

rm /usr/bin/vi
ln -s /usr/bin/vim /usr/bin/vi

george-lappies · 06-16-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCarey

Pat must prefer elvis. You can easily change it.

Code:

rm /usr/bin/vi
ln -s /usr/bin/vim /usr/bin/vi

Thanks

druuna · 06-16-2011, 09:26 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by stf92

Thanks for your links (and for your memory). Druuna, could elvis options be found as an info page? It has the typical structure of these pages.

I truly wouldn't know. If vi is linked to anything else then vim I immediately change it

If I look at the elvis manual page it does not mention any info page.

stf92 · 06-16-2011, 11:05 PM

Please druuna, do not worry. I shouldn't have asked for that much. Regards.